Measuring the Cognition of Firesetting Individuals Using Explicit and Implicit Measures

Abstract

This study examined un-apprehended deliberate firesetters’ cognition. Relative to non-firesetters, un-apprehended firesetters reported higher explicitly measured fire interest. However, their reaction times (RTs) on a fire interest implicit LDT were inconsistent with these findings. They did, however, display a pattern of LDT RTs consistent with Dangerous World and Fire is Powerful beliefs.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. In the UK children under 10 cannot receive a criminal conviction.

2. Using G Power 3 a priori power analysis (Faul, Erdfelder, Lang, & Buchner, 2007).

3. Excessively high and low RTs were amended to within two standard deviations of the mean.

4. Unadjusted.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Emma R. Barrowcliffe

Emma Barrowcliffe is a researcher at the University of Kent and her research focusses on deliberate firesetting.

Theresa A. Gannon

Theresa Gannon is a Professor in Forensic Psychology and Director of the Centre of Research and Education in Forensic Psychology at the University of Kent, UK. She is also an HCPC registered Consultant Forensic Psychologist and works for the Forensic Care Group (Kent Medway NHS Social Care Partnership Trust) providing treatment for individuals who have set fires.

Nichola Tyler

Nichola Tyler is currently a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Kent but is moving to Victoria University of Wellington to take up a position as Lecturer in Forensic Psychology from July 2019.